Furniture



T. O. MARINI `lune 27, 1950 FURNITURE Filed June 11, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 27, 195o T. O. MARINI FURNITURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1947 T. O. MARINI June 27, 1950 FURNITURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 11, 1947 Patented June 27, 1950 FURNITURE Thomas O. Marini, Camden, N. J., assignor to Marver Metal Mfg. Co., Camden, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application June 11, 1947, Serial No. 753,873

Claims.

This is a continuation-in-part of `my original application for Letters Patent on Radiator Enclosure, filed October 11, 1946, Serial No. 702,737, and also of my original application for Letters Patent on Radiator Enclosure, filed November l, 1946, Serial No. 707,122.

My invention relates to pre-fabricated furniture, and it relates more particularly to furniture which is adapted to be s-hipped in so-called knock-down form and assembled at the location where it is intended to be used.

Because of the bulk of certain articles of furniture now on the market, it is common practice to construct them of parts readily assembled. This construction effects economies in packaging, storage space, shipment, etc. However, it has certain disadvantages in that at the place of installation, unskilled labor is often employed which frequently introduces an yassembly problem, particularly if tools are required.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide an article of furniture of the so-called knock-down or pre-fabricated type, characterized by simplicity of construction, ease of assembly with respect to time and tools required, etc.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture which is formed of socalled knock-down parts and which will nevertheless be sturdy and rigid when assembled, and which assembly may be made without the use of tools.

A further object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture so constructed as to comprise artistically formed areas without detracting from the utility, strength and rigidity of the whole structure. y

Another object Aof the invention isthe provision of a frame which may be formed as a unit bya die operation and pre-fabricated as part of aside member, and adapted to form an interlocking joint with a wall section by merely bringing the interlocking portions into engagement with a snap movement.

A further object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture of so-called knock-down construction, which is inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in use, easy to assemble and once assembled, incapable of undesired disassembly.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture of so-called knock-down construction, which is capable of being completely assembled and then partially disassembled for removal from the location of use, without causing collapse of the remaining structure,

With the above and other objects in view, my invention comprises an article of furniture having a front member, side members, a rear member and a top; said front member comprising an upper flange, side iianges and a frontal portion; each of said side members comprising a front portion and a side portion angularly disposed with relation thereto, a frame interio-rly disposed between said front and side portions and connected therewith, and a flange-receiving member projecting rearwardly from said front portion; locking means adapted to lock said frontal portion to said front portion when the side flange is inserted in said flange-receiving means and said frontal portion is swung into appositon to said front portion; said upper flange cooperating with said iiange-receiving member to limit the downward displacement of said front member; and locking means including a flange anda flange-receiving member operably to interlock said rear member and said side members.

My invention further consists of an article of furniture having a, side member comprising a side portion, a front portion, and force-transmitting means connecting said side and front portions; and an artistic portion disposed between lsaid side and front portions.

For vthe purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings Aforms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangements fand organizations of the instrumentalities as herein vshown and described.

Referring vto the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an assembled article of furniture embodying my invention.

Figure'2 represents a sectional View of one end of an `article of furniture embodying my invention, taken generally along the lines'2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a sectional view of the yother end of the article of furniture illustrated in Figure 2, and taken generally along lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a side member forming part of an article of furniture embodying'my invention.

Figure represents an extended view of the component parts comprised in an article of furniture embodying my invention.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 respectively represent sectional views illustrating three successive steps in assembling a front member with a side member, of an article of furniture embodying my invention.

Figure 9 represents a perspective view, partly broken away, of the locking mechanism of an article of furniture of modified construction em bodying my invention, whereby the rear member and side members may be permanently locked when assembled.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 respectively represent sectional views taken generally along the lines IB--ID of Figure 9, showing three successive steps of assembling the rear member and a side member in permanently locked relation to each other.

Figure 13 represents a perspective .View of a side member of Aanother ,modified vconstruction of .an article of furnitureembodying my invention.

.For .purposes ofillustration, :I have shown my invention as applied to the construction of an article of Vfurniture known as a radiator enclosure, although it is `to be understood .that my invention is equally applicable to other forms of furniture, such forinstance, Vas counters, tables, ventilator outlets, amplifier cabinets, hampers, etc.

According to -my invention, `l2 provide component parts of an .article of .furniture 20, with meansfor interlocking these-parts one with an other until the whole is assembled. .For convenience in describing the invention, I have herein shownthe article of furniture I2ilfas` formed of a front member 12I, two oppositely disposed side members .22 and F23, .a rear member 24 .and a top 25. The front member 2l comprises a frontal portion 26, an upper flange 21, side fianges 28 and a bottom flange .29. 1If desired, `a reinforcing flange 30 may be disposed -above :the ends of the upper -flange 21, and maybe formed by an upstanding lug projecting from the side flanges 28 and bent over vithezupper flange 21 intojuxtaposition thereto.v A suitable grill or other 0rnamental or utilitarian device `3l may be vdisposed centrally of the front member l2l and securedby any suitablemeansto vthe frontal portion 25. This grill V3| aswell as allother portions of the enclosure 28, may be formed of sheet material such as sheet metal.

Thes-ide members22 and 23 preferably each comprise a side portion v32, and preferably :a rear portion 33 perpendicularly projecting therefrom. A frame member -'34 .is -.preferably 'secured along a wall .'46 thereof, by Aany suitable Vmeanssuchas v.the spot-welds 35to the side member 32, and projects obliquelyforward to Aa-base panel 3.6. A front portion 31 of the Vside-meniber 2,2 is :preferablyfsecured to :the base panel 35 by any suitable means such as the spot '.welds 38. An ornamental for otherwise vartistic portion such as `the curved-Wall :39 is disposed between the side lportion .32 :and the vfront por-- tion 31.

A Wall member 48 `projects rearwardly and preferably perpendicularly from the edge A! of the basegpanel .36 opposite to'theedge 4-2 thereof which joins said base panel 36 to the oblique portion 43 of the Yframe A34. .A-fiange 44 projects from the wall member 48 at an acute angle thereto, forming therebetween-a nestf45. Lidesired, the flange 44, nest 45, wall 40, base panel 35, oblique portion 43, and wall 45, comprised in the frame 34, may be formed integrally, and may be formed in one die stamping operation.

The front portion 31 of the side member 22 projects laterally from the base panel 36, as at 41, and is preferably reversely bent to a flange 48 which ispreferably spaced from the front portion l31 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the flange 48. The flange 48 terminates in a vertical edge 49 spaced from the `wall 4U.

A flange 50 projects inwardly from the edge 5I vof the rear portion 33, which is opposed to the Aedge 52thereof which joins the rear portion 33 with the side Yportion 32.

If desired, a suitable foot 15, substantially in the form of a flange, may extend inwardly from the bottom edge of the side-member 22, and also a suitable mounting plate 18 may extend inwardly from the upper-edge ofthe member 22. Also, if desired, the flange :48, froncface ..31 including the lateral projection 41, artistic portion 39, side portion 32, rearportion 33 and rear flange l50, as well as the foot 15 and mounting platel, all comprised in the side member 22, may be formed integrally.

Thelrear member 424 comprises the rear wall 54 vpreferably but not necessarily extending the full length of thearticle of furniture, and also preferably but not necessarily of a height substantially equal to the height of the side member .22. A locking vmechanism 55 is provided, and preferably comprises a base 56 `secured to the rear wall54 fby :any-suitable-means, such as the spot welds 51. A wall 5.8 Vprojects forwardly from the 'base .'56, Aand'preferably at an obtuse angle thereto. A'flange 59 .projects rearwardly from the forward 4edge 6B `of thevwall 58, and preferably at an Aacute angle thereto, operably to form a fnest Vtherebetween preferably normally spaced from .the forward .face '6i of the rear wall 54 a distance slightly less than the -distance between the rearward face 62 of the rear portion 53 of the side member V`22, Vand the forward edge v63 of the flange y5l?. A flange 54 is preferably provided, projecting .forwardly Derpendicularly from the upperedgeii ofthe rearwall 54, andpreferably extending continuously the whole length of the rearwall 54. If desired, the rear Wall 54 and ange 64 may be -formed integrally.

The top 25 preferably comprises a panel 65 and a continuous flange .56 downwardly projecting from the outer edges thereof. The flange 56, preferably comprising the front flange 61, front-cornerflanges .58,-side flanges 59 and rear flange 10, while preferably formed integral with the panel 65, are .also preferably struck from one pieceofsheet material and bent until the edges ofthe component flanges conjoin. They may then be united -by any suitable means such as soldering or .weld-ing, or may simply be positioned alongside of each other and covered by any suitable material such-as paint.

In the formation ofthe front member 2 I, suitable -nodes 1l are 4.struck out of, or otherwise formed in, the sides 12 of the frontal portion 2E. Thesenodes 1I are preferably, but not necessarily, formed of half-moons or buttons 'having a curved camming face 13 projectingforward from the side thereofnearest the side flange 28'to the vertical edge 14 which itself vprojects forwardly of the `forward face /of the vfrontal portion 26. The Avertical edge .-14 .is spaced from the outer edge -of the side flange 28 a distance substans. tially equal to the distance between the vertical edge 49 of the flange 48 and the wall 40 of the frame 34. Moreover, the flange 28 is of a width substantially equal to, or slightly less than the distance between the nest- 45 ofA the frame 34 and the rearward face of thelateral projection 41 of the front portion 31 of the side member 22.

In operation, when it is desired toassemble the article of furniture of my invention, the front member 2| is lifted until its upper liange21 is positioned substantially on a llevel with the upper edge 11 of the wall 40. The side flange 28 of the front member 2| is then inserted-into the nest 45 of the frame 34 of the side member 22. In doing so, the wall 49 serves as a cam surface for the leading edge 18 of the flange 28, directing said edge rearwardly to the nest y45 where it serves as a pivot, as may be seen in Figures 6 and 7. As the leading edge 18 is brought into juxtaposition to the nest 45, and the front member 2| swung forwardly, the node 1| is itself brought into juxtaposition to the reverse ange 48. Thereupon, continued rotation of the front member 2| aboutthe'nest l45, causes the node 1| to bear against and depress the reverse flange 48 in a forward direction vagainst the spring action of the reverse fold of the ange 48 and of the lateral projection 41. By virtue of such spring action, the reverse fold 48 yields to the further rotation of the front member 2| about the nest 45 until the vertical edge 14 `of 'the node 1| has passed the vertical edge 49 of the reverse ange 48, whereupon the reverse ange 48 springs rearwardly to its voriginal position, thereby locking the node 1| between the flange 48 and the wall 40. In this position, the flange 28 ofthe front member 2| abuts thewall 48 and is flush thereagainst, as can be seen more readily by reference to Figure 8. Moreover, the flange 28 is'embraced against forward or rearward movement by the nest 45 abutting the leading edge 18,'-and the frontal portion 25 abutting the reversefiange 48 in ush relation thereto. Moreover, the upper ange 21 and the lower flange 29 of the front member 2| embrace the wall-'49 therebetween, thereby interlocking the front member against upward or downward displacement with the side member. It will thus be seen, that the front member 2| is permanently locked with'the lside member 22. Not only so, but the flange 48 serves to support the front member 2| against forward strain or rotation, andthe wall 40 serves to block any tendency toward rearward rotation of the member 2 l thereby making a very rigid joint.

In like manner, the front member 2| is firmly and permanently'lockedwith'the side meinber 23 and'supported thereby in a rigid joint] 1 v TheV U-shaped unit thus formed-is then moved vinto position where it is desired to'use they article of furniture.V It will be found that'fth'eside walls 32 of the side members 22 and 23-are substantially parallel. The rear member 24 is then positioned with its rear wall 54 'bearing againstthe rear portions 33 ofthe side members i22and 23, and with its lockingV mechainisms55l positioned immediately above the flanges V5|! of `the side members 22 and 23. In this position,'each of the flanges 59 is disposed immediately beneath "a locking mechanism 55, and between vthe wall 58 and flange 59 thereof. The flanger59'is then pushed forwardly'suicient to causethe nest 60 to move forwardly'and laterally against the spring action of the wall'53 and its' juncture-with its base 55. By so doing, sufcient'space isfuncovered between the nest 60 and'the'rear wall'54 6 to enable the flange 50 to enter therein. The rear member 24 is then urged downwardly with the locking mechanism 55 embracing the liianges 50, until the upper flange 64 of the rearmember 24 bears-against the upper edge of the rear wall 53 of the side members'22 and 23. In doing so, the upper flange 54 may be used as a handle member. The top 25 is then lowered intoposition, with its flanges 66 embracing the vouter faces of the front, side and rear members, andthe article of furniture of my invention is Anow completely assembled. y

When it Aisdesired to move the article -of furniture, it may be lifted bodily, or when' as in the case of a radiator enclosure, it is used' to cover 4a xed object, it is simply necessary to liftthe top 25, and raise the rear member 24 until the locking `mechanisms 55 uncover the flanges 58. The interlocked front and side membersZl, 22 and 23 may `then be removed as a unit. Further reassembling may be made where desired, in the manner hereinbefore described.v l

In Figures 9 to 12, inclusive,an article of furniture is illustrated, having a modied construction embodying my invention. In this modification, means are provided for permanently'interlocking the rear member 24 with the side members-Hand 23. Accordingly,l a spring lock 19 is provided in the locking mechanism 55. This spring lock 19 may be in the form of anode such as a half-moon or button struck from the wall 58, and projecting therefrom toward the side edge Alill of the rear wall 54. The node 19 comprises acam surface 8| extending upwardly and sidewardly from the inner face of the wall 58, and terminating in an upper, horizontal edge 82.

In this modiiication, the iiange 50 comprises a co-'acting horizontal edge 83 disposed at a distance from the upper edge of the side member22, substantially equal to the distance between the horizontal edge 82 and the lower edge of the flange 64 of the rear member 24. A suitable recess 84 may be formed in the flangey 5|) beneath the horizontal edge 83, to receive'the node 19; or if desired, the horizontal edge 83 may be formed along the lower edge of the ange 50.

In operation, when the rear member 24 is lowered into place against the side members 22 and 23, and the locking mechanism 55 embraces the flange 50 as hereinbefore described, thenode 19 is brought to bear Iagainst the flange 59 and urges it laterally towards the side, against the spring action of the feld between the ange 58 and the rear wall 53, and also against the natural resilience of the sheet material of which the flange 50 and rear wall 53 are formed. Continued downward'displaceinent of the rear member 24 carries the node 19 with it until the upper, horizontal edge 82 `of the node 19 uncovers the lower, horizontal edge -83 of the flange 59; whereupon thev flange 5|] springs biack into place with the horizontal edge 83 immediately above the horizontal edge 82 of the node, thereby locking it against vertical displacement. The wall 58 and flange 59 of the locking mechanism 55 embrace the flange -50 against lateral displacement, yand the-nest 50 and the rear wall `54 embrace the flange 59 against displacement in a forward or rearward direction. The rear member 24 is therefore now permanently interlocked with the side members 22 and 23. f

In Figure 13 is illustrated another modified construction of `an article of vfurniture 1 embodying my invention, with particular'reference'to the construction iofrthe side member. In this modification; lthetoorner portion :39 disposed AVbetween the `frontal -portion31 and the side portion .3 2, Iis reduced to a mere lskeleton framework uponiwhichis mounted an ornamental material d5; Rigidity of the structure is not materially affected however, because the stressesfand strains whichv might be .imposedon the structure are primarily transmitted between the side portion 32.-v andthe .front portion 31 by means of the frame 34.

Indeed this transmission of forces is likewise carried out in the structure illustrated in Figure 4. Nevertheless, itcan .also be seen that, particularly with the modification illustrated in Figure 4, and secondarily with that illustrated in Figure 13, there is provided a rigid `trussing between the oblique wall Ait of rthe frame 34, the side portion 32, and .front iportion 3T of the side member 22; thereby rendering kgreat rigidity to the side members, and ultimatelyto the whole structure.-

Moreover, Yby the construction of my novel invention, the locking mechanisms are substantially 'air-tight, asmay be seen by reference to the ush relation -between the frontal portion 26 andthe reverse .flange 48, the flange 2-8 and the wall 40, thaleading'edge .i8 and the nest'lii, in the lockingmechanism between the front member 2l and the side `member 22; and as .between said side member22 `and the rear` member 24: ktheflush relation between portions of the wall 58 and the flange .59, the leading edge 63 of the flange 50 and the nest ,BB of the locking mechanism 55, and the-rear wall 54 and the rear portie-n E53. Not only so, `but the spring relation between portions of the locking mechanism assures that theV airtight joint is maintained. As a result, `the article of :furniture of my invention is admirably suited foruse Where .an air-tight enclosure, or an airtight joint, is desired.

.A-lso, it will vbe noted that by the novel construction of my invention, not .only is a spring lockprovided between the front and, side members, but yby Ithe large mechanical advantage provided by vusing the main body of the `front member 2i as o. lever, the urging of the nodes H against the spring flange 48 into locking engagement therewith, is greatly facilitated. Not only so, but by the use of suchspring locks, means are provided to inform the layman -whenfthe locking engagement is-complete, for no snap will occur until the lock has sprung. Thus,` it may readily be =seenthat no skill is required :to 'assemble the article of furniture of my invention, and that this assembly may be accomplished with no tools whatsoever, and in the shortest lpossible time.

It can readily be seen, that by my novel invention, it is rendered possible to ship a prefabricated article of furniture in so-called .knock down condition, and assemble it where Vdesired on the premises.` Not .only so, `but the structure so assembled is of marked rigidity and sturdiness, and capable Vof being formed along artistic lines andindeed, if desired, to bear ornamentation where such Aornamentation is. not available in similar articles of furniture hitherto known, Without weakening the structure thereof. In addition, the article of furniture of my novel inventionis capable not only of ready and facile asscmbly,'but also, if desired, of easy and quickfdisassembly and removal `without collapsing `the structure. Y

l. am, awa-re that the invention may be ernbod-ied mother specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof, and Itherefore :desire therpresent embodiments 8 to be @considered in all `respects as Villustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope 'of the invention.

Having thus described my` invention what I claim asnew vand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member and a side member; said front member comprising a frontal portion and a flange; `said side member comprising a side portion, a frame lsecured to said side portion, and a front portion secured to said frame; said frame comprising a nest adapted to receive said flange; spring locking mechanism adapted to interlock said frontal portion and said front portion when said flange is disposed within said nest in the assembly of said structure.

2. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member, a side member and a rear member; said front member comprising a frontal portion and a flange; said side member comprising a side portion, a frame secured to said side portion, and a front portion secured to said frame; said frame comprising a nest adapted to receive said flange; spring locking mechanism adapted to interlock said frontal portion andsaid front portion when said ange vis disposedwithin said nest in the assembly of said structure; and locking means 'between said side member and said rear member.

3. A' pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member, a sidemember and a rear member; said front member comprising a frontal portion anda flange; said side membercomprising a side portion, a frame secured to said side portion, and afront portion secured to said frame; said frame comprising a nest adapted to receive said fiange.; spring locking mechanism Iadapted to interlock said frontal portion and said front portion when said -ange is disposed within said nest inthe assembly of said structure; and locking means between said side member and said rear-member; said locking means comprising a ange projecting from one member and a flangereceiving nest formed on the other member.

4. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member, a side member and a rear member; said front member comprising a frontal portion and a flange; said side member comprising a side portion, a-frame secured lto said side portion, and a front portion secured to said frame; said frame comprising a nest adapted `to receive said flange;

spring locking mechanism adapted to interlock said frontal portion and said front portion when said :flange is disposed within said nest in the assembly of Said structure; and locking means between said side member and said rear member; said locking means comprising a flange projecting from one member and a flange-receiving nest formed on the other member, and spring locking meansl adapted Vpermanently to interlock said members with each other.

V5. A Apre-fabricated lstructure comprising a front member Vand a side member; said front mem-ber comprising a frontal portion, a side flange and a node; said side member comprising a side portion, a frame secured to said side portion, and a front portionsecured to said frame; said frame comprising a nest; a spring projecting from said'side member; the arrangement of parts being such that when said flange is disposed within said nest and said front member is moved toward assembly position, said node will depress Said spring, and 4:release said spring substantially when said assembly position is reached.

6. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member, a side member and a rear member; means to join said front Iand side members; means to interlock said side and rear members, said interlocking means comprising a flange on one member and a nest on the other member; a node projecting from one of said last mentioned members, and a spring projecting from the other thereof; the arrangement of parts being such that when said flange is disposed in said nest and said rear member is moved toward said assembly position with said side member, said node will depress said spring, andrelease said spring when said assembly position is reached.

7. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member, a side member and a rear member; said front member comprising a frontal portion, a side ange and a node; said side member comprising a side portion, a frame secured to said side portion, and a front portion secured to said frame; said frame comprising a nest; a spring projecting from said side member; the arrangement of parts being such that when said iiange is disposed within said nest and said front member is moved toward assembly position, said node will depress said spring, and release said spring substantially when said assembly position is reached; means to interlock said side and rear members, said interlocking means comprising a flange on one member and a nest on the other member; a node projecting from one of said last mentioned members, and a spring projecting from the other thereof; the arrangement of parts being such that when said ange is disposed in said nest and said rear member is moved toward said assembly position with said side member, said node will depress said spring, and release said spring when said assembly position is reached.

8. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member and a side member; said front member comprising a frontal portion, a side flange, and an upper projection; said side member comprising a side portion, a frame projecting from said side portion and a front portion secured to said frame; said frontal portion and said front portion being parts of the facade of said structure; said frame comprising a ange-receiving means; said flange-receiving means adapted to receive said flange when said frontal portion is in apposition to said front portion, and said upper projection being adapted to bear against a portion of said frame to limit displacement of said front member when said frontal portion is in said apposition to said front portion.

9. A pre-fabricated structure comprising a front member and a side member; said front member comprising a frontal portion, a side flange, an upper projection and a lower projection; said side member comprising a side portion, a frame projecting from said side portion and a front portion secured to said frame; said frontal portion and said front portion being parts of the facade of said structure; said frame comprising a flange-receiving means; said flange receiving means adapted to receive said flange when said frontal portion is in apposition to said front portion; said upper and lower projections being adapted to bear against said portion of said frame to limit displacement of said front member when said frontal portion is in apposition to said front portion.

l0. A prefabricated structure comprising a plurality of members; a frame projecting from one of said members and a fiange projecting from another of said members; said frame comprising retaining means adapted to receive said flange; spring locking mechanism adapted securely to interlock said members when said flange is juxtaposed to said retaining means in the assembly of said structure.

THOMAS O. MARINI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thev file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,061,277 Ewing May 13, 1913 1,941,127 Blackman Dec. 26, 1933 

